Author: Eric Gorton
Page 6/10
Eric Gorton, senior contributor
Eric has worked as a media relations coordinator in University Communications at James Madison University since March 2005. He started working in public relations with the Virginia Department of Transportation in September 2000. Before that, he worked as a reporter and editor at the Daily News-Record from 1987 to 1999 and as a Web content developer for SEI, Inc. in Harrisonburg from 1998-2000.
With public’s input, first master plan for downtown begins taking shape
The closed gas station on the southeast corner of West Market and South Mason streets should be turned into a pocket park. Something needs to be done to attract pedestrians north of Court Square. And murals should be added to the abundance of blank wall space on buildings. Those are some of the comments city officials and consultants have received since March, when they asked for the public’s input on how downtown Harrisonburg should develop over the next two decades.
Advertisement
COVID shots for children ages 5 to 11 begin at city schools
Nearly 100 middle school students aged 5 to 11 received COVID vaccines Thursday at Thomas Harrison and Skyline middle schools in Harrisonburg, the first day the shots were offered in city schools for young children.
Advertisement
Rising cost of natural gas being passed on to HEC customers
Customers of Harrisonburg Electric Commission can expect to see an increase in their monthly bills due to the rising cost of natural gas that is used to generate electricity.
Advertisement
Backpack Program Coalition forms to improve food distribution at city schools
A once-disjointed effort to provide food to Harrisonburg students in need now enjoys the support of a coalition that hopes to better serve them.
Advertisement
Community leaders seek broad input to address central Valley’s key workforce concerns
Business leaders, nonprofit leaders and other community leaders from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County are already talking about ways to address transportation, affordable housing and childcare hurdles in the central Shenandoah Valley.
Facing substitute teacher shortage, HCPS central office staff roll up their sleeves
Jeremy Aldrich is no stranger to working as a teacher, but it has been a few years since he made the move to the central office where he now serves as Harrisonburg’s director of teaching and learning.
Harrisonburg looks to reboot tourism interest by luring conferences, events
The city’s relatively small size could be its biggest asset as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, said Jennifer Bell, Harrisonburg’s tourism manager since July 2019, who has been putting more effort into getting advertising in front of conference and event planners. Since October she has purchased four full-page color ads in Small Market Meeting Magazine, a full-page color ad in the wedding edition of Virginia Living magazine, a full-page ad in ConventionSouth Magazine and an assortment of digital advertising across various platforms.
Local restaurants endured the summer of ‘Now Hiring,’ but it hasn’t been easy for some
Like many restaurants and retail stores across the country, Harrisonburg businesses have faced some challenges in finding — and keeping — employees this summer, although their experiences have been almost as diverse as the types of food and products they sell.
